1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
A dear friend gave me these verses this morning. I wouldn’t say we are going through severe trials but we are working through some stumbling blocks as we strive to be obedient to God. Reading this passage from 1 Peter reminds me that even if we are on the right path, and even when we are being obedient to God, we cannot assume that the way will be smooth. Just the opposite: Though now, for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials. The way God makes us inherit the character of Christ is to give us trials. How else can we learn patience unless we have to wait for something important? How else can we learn to love the unlovely unless God inserts such a person in our lives? How else can we learn to depend on God’s provision unless he takes away our resources? It’s all very scary. But if we want to shed our sinful selves and be refined in the fire until we exhibit the character of Christ, we cannot escape trials. It’s how we face trials that is important.
Therefore, as you walk the path that God is leading you, know that the stumbling blocks are ways in which God is refining your character. Just because it's the right path, doesn't make it the easy path.
